Is Water Softener Capacity Standardized?

[GregG23]

I am looking at two different systems that look like they should be speced about the same, but they have a major discrepancy in their max capacity

Fleck 5600SXT Digital Metered Valve with 10x54" 48k grain tank https://store.afwfilters.com/water-...r-with-10-resin-and-fleck-5600sxt-controller/

• Service flow: 6.5 GPM
• Peak flow: 9.8 GPM
• Flow required for backwash: 2.7 GPM

vs

FlexxPro Economy Smart Metered Water-Softener (US Water Systems) https://uswatersystems.com/products...metered-water-softener?variant=45113397444912

• Service flow: 15 GPM
• Peak flow: 17 GPM
• Flow required for backwash: 2.7 GPM

I would think the system capacity should be proportional to the amount of resin and total surface area of the tank which seems like it would be identical to me. I'm skeptical that the ratings are not standardized and it's sort of just up to the manufacturer. Is there something I'm missing? I'm trying to sort between marketing and data/physics.

Does anyone have any other advice on deciding between the two systems? I like how popular the Fleck system is and seems to be a great value. The US Water systems looks like it has more American made components, a "connected" smart phone app and a little better warranty. But seems to me like they would both do a pretty equivalent job. I'm guessing there may be a little difference in reliability, but I cant really find anything on it. Any advice would be appreciated.

In either case, I think my house requirements wouldn't be that bad. I have 5 people, very occasionally we use 3 showers simultaneously. My well only flows about 4 BPM, so once the pressure system depletes we cant sustain high flow rates for longer than about 20 minutes. Our hardness is about 14 grains (335 TDS). Plenty hard but nothing crazy.

 

[Reach4]

Service flow and peak flow are not standardized.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[GregG23]

Thanks, it sounds to me like the physics of the systems are about the same as long as they are a metered system. They all have adjustments you can make to the amount of salt used on each generation cycle and how often it regenerates based on time or water usage. So it really seems to be just the difference in user interface getting the system dialed in to have the level of desired softening last through the next regeneration cycle. A lot of systems advertise high efficiency, but it's still just replacing ca/mg ions with salt ions?

 

[Reach4]

I suggest a lab test of your well water. The important items for softening are hardness, iron, and manganese. Testing for arsenic is good too, although that is for health, and not softening. If measuring hardness yourself, the Hach 5-B test is good. TDS is not a measure of hardness, and in fact, don't expect a softener to reduce your TDS.

You are on the brink of 1.5 cuft of resin being a bit light. An increase to 2 cuft in a 12x52 inch tank is probably worthwhile, but not necessary. You don't want to try to get 32000 grains of softening per cuft of resin. For efficiency, you want around 20000 grains of softening per cuft.

The Fleck 5800SXT can carry more gpm. Three simultaneous 2.5 gpm showers will be close to maxing out the 5600sxt but not the 5800sxt.

 

[sajesak]

I suggest a lab test of your well water. The important items for softening are hardness, iron, and manganese. Testing for arsenic is good too, although that is for health, and not softening. If measuring hardness yourself, the Hach 5-B test is good. TDS is not a measure of hardness, and in fact, don't expect a softener to reduce your TDS.

You are on the brink of 1.5 cuft of resin being a bit light. An increase to 2 cuft in a 12x52 inch tank is probably worthwhile, but not necessary. You don't want to try to get 32000 grains of softening per cuft of resin. For efficiency, you want around 20000 grains of softening per cuft.

The Fleck 5800SXT can carry more gpm. Three simultaneous 2.5 gpm showers will be close to maxing out the 5600sxt but not the 5800sxt. The Fleck 5800SXT, as per Rainsoft reviews, can handle more gallons per minute (gpm). Three simultaneous 2.5 gpm showers would nearly max out the capacity of the 5600SXT but not the 5800SXT.

Hello,

I'm researching water conditioning systems for my home and could use some advice. I'm particularly interested in understanding the differences between salt-based and salt-free systems. From what I've read, salt-based systems are effective but require maintenance, while salt-free options are low-maintenance but may not soften water as effectively. Can anyone share their experiences with either type? How has it impacted your water quality and appliance longevity? Any insights on cost-effectiveness and environmental impact would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Reach4]

Salt-base softeners soften water. You can do a hardness test and see that. You can feel the difference.

"TAC" etc do not soften water. There is no test that will distinguish water that has been through such a system.